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New Domestic Prices Effective January 8, 2006
The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service voted November 14 to accept the Postal Rate Commission's recommendation to increase most rates and fees by approximately 5.4 percent.
This price increase – the first since 2002 – is needed to fulfill a federal law passed in 2003 that requires the Postal Service to place $3.1 billion in an escrow account by October 1, 2006. Without this federal mandate, it would not have been necessary to raise prices in 2006. Among the adjustments, the 1 ounce single-piece rate for First-Class Mail will increase from 37 cents to 39 cents, and the postcard rate will increase by one cent, to 24 cents.
The Board of Governors set Sunday, January 8, 2006, as the effective date for the new rates and fees.Following are selected rate and fee changes:
Rate |
Current |
Jan. 8 |
First-Class Mail Letter (1 oz.) |
37¢ |
39¢ |
First-Class Mail Letter (2 oz.) |
60¢ |
63¢ |
Postcard |
23¢ |
24¢ |
Priority Mail (1 lb.) and Flat Rate Envelope |
$3.85 |
$4.05 |
Priority Mail Flat Rate Box |
$7.70 |
$8.10 |
Express Mail (1/2 lb.) and Flat Rate Envelope |
$13.65 |
$14.40 |
Express Mail (over 1/2 lb., up to 2 lb.) |
$17.85 |
$18.80 |
Fee |
Current |
Jan. 8 |
Certified Mail |
$2.30 |
$2.40 |
Return Receipt (Original Signature) |
$1.75 |
$1.85 |
Return Receipt (Electronic) |
$1.30 |
$1.35 |
Delivery Confirmation Retail (Priority Mail) |
45¢ |
50¢ |
Delivery Confirmation Retail (First-Class Mail Parcels) |
55¢ |
60¢ |
Premium Forwarding Service (Weekly Fee) |
$10.00 |
$10.40 |
Money Orders (Up to $500) |
90¢ |
95¢ |
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